United States: The Former Charlotte Observer weather writer Steve Lyttle shared the weather update of Carolina as there is a major winter event for Christmas.
There won’t be snow for the immediate Charlotte region this Christmas, but a major winter weather event will affect all of the people as well as hundreds of millions of people in the United States over the next several days in Carolina.
What are the possible impacts for Charlotte-area residents?
Read Here are some of the threats:
AIR TRAVELERS — To the north of us, a powerful winter storm will bring heavy snow, huge drifts and winds gusting to 60 mph along the Great Lakes and in parts of the Northeast.
This storm is likely to cause major problems with flight cancellations and delays — on a weekend when millions of people are flying to destinations.
The airlines are being liberal with re-bookings. If you’re planning to fly anytime between Thursday and Sunday, it’s time to look for a Plan B or a Plan C.
N.C. MOUNTAINS — There is a threat of some freezing rain tonight and early Thursday, but that’s not connected with the big storm system. Instead, some snow is likely to fall as the front moves through Friday, and very gusty winds (maybe to 50 mph) will cause travel problems in the High Country.
BITTER COLD — Here in the Charlotte area, temperatures will drop to near 10 degrees on Christmas Eve morning, and to around 14 or 15 on Christmas morning. Afternoon highs on Christmas Eve probably won’t reach freezing.
This type of extended cold can cause problems for water pipes in homes and businesses. If there is a way for you to prepare, do so now.
WIND CHILLS — We’re likely to experience wind chills around 0 to 5 degrees late Friday and Saturday morning. These are life-threatening conditions for people and their pets.
I’m including a National Weather Service graphic, showing the coldest Christmas days in Charlotte history, along with a map of forecast wind chills.
TODAY: Clouds, some sun, and chilly, with a high of 47.
TONIGHT: Rain beginning after midnight. The rain will fall as freezing rain in elevations above 3,500 feet for several hours early Thursday. Chilly, with a low of 37 in Charlotte.
THURSDAY: Rain ending by 9 or 10 a.m., and then cloudy and chilly, with a high around 45.
THURSDAY NIGHT: Rain returns again after midnight, with a low in the mid 30s.
FRIDAY: Any rain will end by 7 or 8 a.m. Then clearing and turning much colder. It will become windy by midday. Temperatures will crash!! It’ll be around 40 at daybreak, tumbling to 32 by 11 a.m. and into the 20s during the afternoon. Wind chills later in the day will be near 10 degrees.
FRIDAY NIGHT: Clear, windy and bitterly cold, with a low of 11. Wind chills will be 0 to 5 degrees at times.
CHRISTMAS EVE: Sunny but bitterly cold. High around 30. It also will be breezy, with wind chills around 10 to 15 degrees at times in the afternoon.
CHRISTMAS DAY: After a morning low of 14, we’ll have sunshine again, but the high will only reach 34. It will not be breezy, though.
MONDAY: Boxing Day will be sunny and quite cold, with a high around 40.
TUESDAY: Sunshine, mixed with some clouds, and not as harsh. High near 45.
